Overview
- Roskomnadzor confirmed nationwide restrictions on Apple’s FaceTime, with users in Moscow reporting failed calls showing a “User unavailable” message.
- The regulator said law enforcement linked the services to terrorism, recruitment, and fraud, but it offered no public evidence.
- Roskomnadzor stated that Snapchat was blocked on Oct. 10 under the same rationale, with the decision disclosed publicly only now.
- The steps extend a broader curtailment of foreign platforms, with WhatsApp and Telegram calls previously limited, Roblox blocked on Wednesday, and officials promoting the state-backed Max app.
- Restrictions appear to operate at the network level, leaving the apps accessible but preventing calls from connecting, and some users report access when using a VPN.